Arthur Hylton

40 Penthouse Way

Apt PH-40

New York, N.Y. 10001

May 24, 2026

Hiring Manager

National Geographic2

1145 17th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Ms. Maura Mitchell,

I’m Arthur. The gentleman who spoke with you on the phone last month regarding the opening as travel photographer for National Geographic. Following your recommendation as I approached graduation. I’ve typed up a summary of the courses I’ve completed that I believe will make me a top selection during this round of the hiring process. As an upcoming college graduate student with a strong passion for visual storytelling, journalism, and meaningful human connection through photography and media. I am eager to begin my professional career with an organization whose mission aligns with my commitment to authentic storytelling and global impact. National Geographic has long inspired me through its dedication to documenting culture, science, history, and the human experience with integrity and creativity. 

Sincerely

Arthur N. Hylton

The first class on my list of courses that gave me the knowledge and skills required to thrive in modern work environments is BUSN202 - Leading in the Technology Age. This course taught students about the fundamentals of various technical applications in the workplace. Computer hardware, software, cloud computing, collaboration tools, cybersecurity, and other technical matters we will encounter in a business environment.

The main objectives of this course that were the most helpful were: Course Objective 3.2 which taught us how to evaluate the quality and relevance of information gathered from various digital sources. This skill is critical because in the age of mass media there are incentives for entities to get a news story out first, rather than publishing a news story ethically and with integrity. That week’s module explained the importance for students and working adults to be able to differentiate between credible and non-credible evidence. The drawbacks of professionals not adhering to ethical standards regarding information harvesting, can result in the form of lawsuits, financial losses in the form of fines by regulatory agencies and worst of all, reputational damage. 

Course Objective 2.1: Analyzing and distinguishing between various types of cybersecurity threats lead us through learning the main categories of cyber security threats, the differences between malware, ransomware, trojan horses, phishing and key signs of network or software manipulation through observing the performance of computers and smart instruments such as: slow system usage, unknown or questionable prompts requiring human input and understanding how users can differentiate the difference between credible attacks and actual prompts from trusted sources. 

Course Objective 2.3: Using cloud-based collaboration tools to safely create and share content is critical to a media entity like National Geographic that relies on speed, communication and collaboration. The skills that I acquired by completing this course such as knowing the latest cloud applications and best practices to achieve collaboration goals will make my addition to your existing teams seamless in completing tasks and satisfying publishing deadlines.

Course Objective 5: Demonstrating a basic understanding of the impact computers have on business taught me how integrated technology is at nearly every part of modern organizations. Employees who understand how computers improve communication, data management, cyber security, productivity, and decision-making are often more efficient, adaptable, and valuable in the workplace.

ARTH240 Survey of Photography

This course was designed to familiarize students with the history of photography from its beginnings through contemporary times. We learned how to interpret art and apply photographic terminology; describing, comparing, contrasting, and analyzing photography within technological, social, political and historical contexts; and applying digital information literacy to the research and writing process about photography. The main course objectives that were the most impactful to me were: CO-3: Analyzing works of photography within their technological, social, political, and historical contexts, which taught me how photography can be more than just a series of attractive visuals. They can be solo works or a series of stills that tell compelling stores based on world events that can create powerful call-to-actions, like National Geography is known for.

CO-2: Analyzing photographic terminology in relation to works of art and its function taught me how to use industry jargon correctly to not only understand the words associated with works that were produced before my time, but also how to think about the artist statement behind an image that when published, can be the foundation on what I want a specific image to mean and how to relate that to the viewer. 

CO-1: Examining major photographic works from the beginning of photographic history through contemporary times showed me how photography went from a cataloging medium for scientist, a method of recording architecture, providing a physical record for armed soldiers going to war into a science that involves composition, perspective, and storytelling that can communicate ideas and freeze moments in time that shape human history. Another ethos of your company.

Lastly CO-4: Appraising major photographer’s biographies artistic productions, tools, and techniques aided me by looking beyond the images of an artist, to knowing who the person was ago understand the intent of their images, as well as studying their backgrounds to gain insight into how they developed their skills, overcame challenges, found inspiration, and built their unique styles. Following this technique by observing the technical aspects of their process also made me a better technical photographer by adopting some of their habits.

BUSN312 Operations Research

This course introduced the application of operations research and management science techniques to management decision problems. CO-1: Describe the basic concepts involved in Operations Research outlined the foundation of the course. Operations Research is a problem-solving and decision-making method that uses mathematics, and analytical techniques to help organizations operate more efficiently and effectively. CO-2 | LO5: Applying scheduling, decision making, and quality control concepts to decision-making skills are a function of quality control, which is important because businesses constantly face challenges that require careful judgment and problem-solving.

CO-5: Describing the various forecasting qualitative and quantitative methods and models available to operations managers is a critical function of your business model. Talking strictly on the finances & resources side of your company, knowing when to make savvy business and creative decisions based on current industry trends, combined with the ability to forecast where your competitors will invest resources. You will become more strategic, organized, and adaptable. I know how this works. The last Course Objective of this course 

CO-8: Demonstrate project management decision making taught me how to become organized, responsible, and capable of handling tasks efficiently from start to finish. Many of your processes require goal setting, time management and problem-solving. Those qualities makes me a valuable potential employee and will inevitably lead my career towards higher leadership positions.

BUSN499 Senior Seminar in Business Administration

The final class of my degree plan is a capstone course is a senior-level project that combines key elements of the undergraduate degree learning experience using a team approach that integrates and showcases multiple business disciplines. The core competencies that were taught were based creating a mindset and creating products such as portfolios that made us marketable. The first course objective of the class CO-1: Identify essential elements for a successful portfolio, lead us through identifying what skills we have that will allow us to craft a great portfolio, which allows potential clients & hiring manages clear evidence of our skills, creativity, experience, and professionalism. CO-2: Preparing a portfolio that can be used with potential employers taught us why creating a professional portfolio helps us stand out from other candidates by highlighting our unique strengths and artistic perspectives.

CO-3: Focused on developing resumes and cover letters to be sent to potential employers. I would say this module was the most crucial because the skills I learned through this objective was the same résumé & cover letter that got your attention and placed me on your radar. CO-4: Examine the responsible use of social media, and the potential impact on a job search taught us about data leaks and our digital footprint. Whether people like it or not, we live in digital world where everything we decided to share on the internet is there forever. Our thoughts from the time we were 15 and old enough to use social media, to our mindset and policies decades later can affect how brands and higher managers look at us. Responsible social media use also helps build a strong personal brand. By sharing positive content, professional achievements, creative work, and industry-related interests, candidates like myself can highlight our skills, personality, and dedication to our field.

In short, I would be honored to contribute my skills, perspective, lens, creativity and determination to your team while continuing to grow as a visual artist for one of the world’s most respected media organizations.